After a long time spent writing only for piano, Schumann produced a true outburst of lieder, inspired by the poetry of Heinrich Heine: “What a blessing it is, to write for the voice!” Schumann wrote to his beloved Clara. It is as though a knot was untied while he was writing the Heine-Liederkreis, Op.24. Retrospectively, Schumann wrote that this new poetic spirit had inspired the composition of lieder to such an extent that it had become the only genre to make significant progress since the time of Beethoven.

Indeed these nine songs, which represent the only complete setting of the underlying Heine cycle, came so close to the spirit of the poet that a new epoch of lied composition was founded. This new edition of Schumann’s first collection of lieder is based primarily on the first publication under consideration of the autograph manuscript.

All songs in their original key

Comprehensive foreword (Eng/Ger) and critical commentary (Ger)

Includes an English translation of the lied texts by Richard Stokes (The Book of Lieder) printed separately

Tim

Mold
Professional pianist (accompanist)

Good Points+

The printing is well spaced and very clear - it's black on cream which is easy on the eye and, in my opinion, also the easiest to read. The paper is of good quality and the cover and stapling robust enough for most usage. A good introduction in 3 languages and an English translation of the poems is included. An excellent traditional edition which is good value at the music room price.

Bad Points−

None discovered so far. There is no translation included under the German singing text, which some singers might like, but it would clutter up the score.